Book with the owner direct
Owner/Property
Manager: Michael Spence
Book this Farmhouse by contacting the owner
directly to confirm
price, property details and availability.
Booking directly with the owner means you pay the owners price with
no added booking fees or extra charges.
Overview
Description
The house was originally a mill house with adjoining tobacco drying tower and features exposed beams and barrel vaulted ceilings. The kitchen is designed for modern convenience rather than purely rustic charm, the dining area has a lovely open fireplace and the whole has a comfortable home from home appeal. The shaded wisteria covered terrace and thick stone walls keep the interior cool in summer. The swimming pool is of ample size and features an intermittent gentle current against which one can swim on the spot! There is also a gazebo and terrace with benches and table above the swimming pool. Unfortunately, we have to say that we do not want guests to bring their dogs as we have to consider the next guests and have had poor experience with this in the past.Casa Molino is larger than it looks at first as it is built on a slope in a quiet valley setting so that from the pool only two floors are visible but there are in fact three! It will accommodate up to five with ease so is ideal for couples or a family, having exclusive use of the house and swimming pool. On the ground floor there is a spacious sitting room with an arch through to the kitchen with dining table and fireplace. Both rooms open onto the shaded terrace along the length of the house. A wide spiral staircase leads to a hall with access to the twin aspect single bedroom, bathroom and a lovely large room, again with dual views, and two queen sized sofa beds. On the top floor is a large double bedroom with panoramic view across and along the valley.
The nearest village, San Leo Bastia, about 3kms away, has a restaurant, a couple of bars & some small shops. There are plenty of good restaurants in the surrounding area and an excellent supermarket can be found 20 mins away by car. Cortona is the nearest hilltop gem, 18 kms over the hills, while Città di Castello & Perugia are easy drives. Gubbio, Assisi, Arezzo and Lake Trasimeno are all within easy reach while Siena & Florence are also accessible. Tour as you wish and then relax by the pool in the quiet Tuscan countryside – a perfect recipe for a great holiday break!
There is a sharp turn to the left into the driveway and a fairly steep slope down to the house and some guests find it a bit disconcerting at first. You could drive past a little way and turn around so that there is no sharp turn in from the other direction. On exiting it is best to drive steadily in first up the slope until onto the road but again people get used to the best method. Any difficulty usually occurs when people have driven their own larger cars across Europe as opposed to the usually smaller hired local cars.
Fly to Perugia, Bologna, Florence, Pisa or Rome. Directions supplied. One week minimum stay. Discount available for a stay of more than 2 weeks. Check in & out on Friday to avoid awkward gaps of odd days between guests though I know flights can be more expensive at the weekend so I often recommend a night at some interesting place on the way beforehand.
Bedroom Details
Bedroom 1
1 x Double Bed
Top floor bedroom with view across the valley, chairs, clothes hanging space, chest of drawers and bedside units.
Bedroom 2
1 x Single Bed
Single bedded room on middle floor with twin aspect windows, clothes hanging space, chair, chest of drawers & bedside un
Bedroom 3
2 x Sofa Bed s
Large room on middle foor with 2 small double sofa beds, clothes hanging space, chest of drawers, twin aspect windows.
16 Reviews
Leave ReviewAnother amazing stay
By Julian on 03-Aug-2025This is our second time staying at this beautiful house as a family of five. The swimming pool is a wonderful size and set in a beautiful location. The house is so pretty and much bigger than it looks in the photographs. There is a wonderful library of books. The dining area is perfect under a shaded wisteria. Michael is a pleasure to communicate with. We never want to leave.
Owner response on 28-Sep-2025
Thank you for your lovely review! You are welcome back another time if you wish.
A wonderful stay
By Susan on 06-Jul-2025We have just enjoyed a wonderful holiday at Michael's house in Italy. The location was lovely, and the facilities at the house were great for our family of five adults. We made good use of the barbecue and pool. The house was very spacious and having such a lovely, large, pool onsite was a real bonus. There are some really beautiful and interesting places to visit round and about, as well as friendly local tavernas and bars nearer to the house. We had a fantastic time and would love to return. Michael was helpful with information and quick to respond. Thank you.
Beautiful rural retreat
By Caroline on 28-Jun-2024A lovely rustic house nestled in a peaceful valley of hills and trees. Remote enough to have no neighbours or anyone to overlook you but only a short drive to San Leo Bastia for excellent local pizzeria and basics. The well stocked shop is cash only but all other businesses took card payment. 3 good supermarkets in town 20 min away. Drove up from Rome and also managed to do side trips to Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, Montepulciano. The pool is fab, such a good size and so nice to have all to yourself. The house stays lovely and cool on the lower floor even in 34 degree heat. We did find the top bedroom in particular quite hot at night though even keeping shutters and windows closed in the day to keep the heat out. Sunny spots all day long around the house. A lovely relaxing retreat. Driveway was a little difficult as so steep with a sharp turn onto a gravel track at the top but manageable once we figured out a technique! Lots of nature and wildlife as to be expected when so rural. Our 2 year old was fascinated by the lizards and little scorpion that scuttled inside which we managed to easily get rid of. Horseflies and hornets were a bit more annoying but tended to come out on the cooler cloudier days and only arpund the pool area and top of driveway. The spiral stairs didn't pose an issue for our 2 year old, she loved having so much space to explore. Michael was very responsive and helpful from booking enquiry and during our stay.
Well hidden gem
By Jo Hunt on 16-May-2024Casa Molino is a wonderful place for a quiet and relaxing family break The villa is hidden away near the head of a small valley, in a very quiet rural setting - the only sounds we heard were songbirds every morning, small farmers out on their tractors during the day, and nightingleas after dark. Fantastic! Casa Molino felt very homely - all the facilites we needed, without any 'bling' extras that we didn't! We enjoyed the different seating areas that allow you to catch (or avoid) the sun at each part of the day. This is clearly Michael's own, family holiday home and we are grateful for being allowed to share and enjoy it
Owner response on 01-Jul-2024
Than you for your lovely review. You would be welcome back another time should you wish. All the best, Michael0
Great place to stay
By Charles Draper on 02-Sep-2023We loved the house. Very roomy! The veranda was a favourite spot. We had an excitement one evening when the tobacco farmer dragged his irrigation spray right up to the fence late in the evening and set it off- but he came over and popped his head over the hedge to explain what he was doing, and the care he was taking to avoid giving us a soaking. We also much enjoyed the Pizzeria in San Leo - nice food at a great price and friendly people. The one problem we had were large biting flies which seemed to be based near the final section of the track coming to the house. They made walks (or runs) on the track unattractive for much of the day, and contested the area around the pool. Happily they kept away from the house. They may be seasonal – and not much you can do about it!
Escape to Tranquility: a perfect retreat on the Tuscany-Umbria border
By Ivo on 05-Aug-2023Nestled at the crossroads of Tuscany and Umbria, this holiday home is a hidden gem that promises an unforgettable retreat from the ordinary. If you're seeking a slice of paradise that strikes the perfect balance between seclusion and comfort, look no further. This charming haven offers an experience that's as enriching as it is rejuvenating. The home's remote location ensures a tranquil atmosphere, free from the hustle and bustle of modern life. It's a place where time slows down, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of the Italian countryside. Despite its remoteness, it is still a very good starting point to visit the beautiful cities of Cortona, Arezzo and Perugia (which was our favorite city by far). The highlight of this enchanting escape is undoubtedly the beautiful pool. Surrounded by lush greenery, the pool area feels like your own private oasis. Imagine lazy days spent lounging by the water, sipping on your favorite drink, and basking in the warmth of the Tuscan sun. Beware of the horseflies though, they also seem to like the pool ;). The holiday home itself exudes rustic charm while offering all the modern amenities you could desire. From the cozy living space that invite relaxation to the well-equipped kitchen where you can channel your inner Italian chef, every corner of this abode is designed to make you feel at home. All in all, me, my wife and our 2 children (13 and 6 years old) had a wonderful time here and can highly recommend this place.
Owner response on 16-Sep-2023
So happy to hear they had a great time and grateful for their taking the trouble and time to write the review - much appreciated. Unfortunately, in the countryside nature can sometimes be a bit of a pest!